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Abstract Background Three dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D STE) is a novel technique combining 3D echocardiography and speckle tracking analysis. 3D STE software dedicated to the left atrium (LA) was recently available. Our study aimed to assess (1) atrial fibrillation (AF) related LA morpho-functional remodeling using 3D STE and (2) value of LA function parameters in identifying paroxysmal AF (PAF). Methods One hundred thirty-nine PAF, 109 persistent AF (Per-AF) and 59 non-AF subjects underwent 3D STE. LA phasic volumes and total LA emptying fraction (LAEF) were obtained and used to calculate passive (pLAEF) and active LA emptying fraction (aLAEF) based on atrial contraction. LA longitudinal and circumferential strain representing reservoir (LASr/LASrc), conduit (LAScd/LAScdc) and pump (LASct/LASctc) function were also assessed. Results 3D STE was found to have good reproducibility. Increase of LA volumes and decrease of parameters representing LA reservoir and pump function were independently associated with AF as well as AF burden. The correlations between LA emptying fraction and LA circumferential strain representing the same function were always stronger than those with LA longitudinal strain (p 0.8) with great sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions Assessing LA remodeling in AF using 3D STE was feasible. AF and AF burden were independently associated with LA enlargement and impairment of reservoir and pump function but not conduit function. LA function parameters can indicate underlying PAF and thus can guide AF screening strategy.

Schima superba is the dominant species of subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest which has the characteristics of ecological fire prevention function. In this study, we report the complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. superba. The cp genome was 157,205 bp in length with a GC content of 37.40%, including a large single-copy (LSC 87,161 bp), a small single-copy (SSC 18,092 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (IR 25,976 bp). The genome encoded 133 functional genes, including 88 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis showed that S. superba was closely related to Schima sinensis, Schima multibracteata, Schima crenata, and Schima remotisertata.

Semiliquidambar belongs to the family Hamamelidaceae and has comprehensive morphological traits between genus Liquidambar and Mushroom. There are three species of Semiliquidambar, all of which are endemic to China. Semiliquidambar cathayensis is the most widely distributed, from Fujian, Jiangxi to southern Guizhou, southeast and north of Guangxi, Hunan, and Hainan. Semiliquidambar cathayensis belongs to the Vulnerable (UV) in the China Plant Red Data Book. Semiliquidambar has been thought to be a product of natural hybridization but lacks convincing molecular evidence. In this study, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of an ecospecies S. cathayensis H.T.Chang ‘T5’, which has three leaf morphology, was determined using next-generation sequencing. The entire cp genome was determined to be 160,444 bp in length. It contained large single-copy (LSC) and small single-copy (SSC) regions of 88,969 and 18,913 bp, respectively, which were separated by a pair of 26,281 bp inverted repeat (IR) regions. The genome contained 133 genes, including 88 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the genome is 37.9%. A phylogenetic tree reconstructed by 13 chloroplast genomes reveals that S. cathayensis is most related with Liquidambar formosana in Hamamelidaceae with bootstrap support values of 100%.

Altingia chinensis is an important native broad-leaved tree in southern China. Its wood can be used as an excellent edible fungus culture medium, in addition, aromatic oil can be extracted for medicine and spices. Its full-length chloroplast genome is 160,410 bp, including a large single copy (LSC) region of 88,936 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 18,917 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,274 bp. Furthermore, we also found 132 genes, 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes in the chloroplast genome of Altingia chinensis. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Altingia chinensis is most closely related to Liquidambar formosana and Semiliquidambar cathayensis. This study can provide basic data for research on molecular-assisted breeding of Altingia chinensis,and phylogeny of Hamamelidaceae.

Semiliquidambar cathayensis is a semi-evergreen broad-leaved tree species distributed in southern China. In 1999, it was approved and published as a national secondary protected plant. We obtained the complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. cathayensis by Illumina sequencing data. The complete chloroplast sequence is 160,430 bp, include large single-copy (LSC) region of 88,991 bp, small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,917 bp, and a pair of invert repeats (IR) regions of 26,261 bp. Plastid genome contain 133 genes, 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that S. cathayensis is closely related to Liquidambar formosana.

In the development of chronic liver disease, the hepatic stellate cell (HSC) plays a pivotal role in increasing intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR) and inducing portal hypertension (PH) in cirrhosis. Our research demonstrated that HSC contraction, prompted by angiotensin II (Ang II), significantly contributed to the elevation of type I collagen (COL1A1) expression. This increase was intimately associated with enhanced cell tension and YAP nuclear translocation, mediated through α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, microfilaments (MF) polymerization, and stress fibers (SF) assembly. Further investigation revealed that the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway regulated MF polymerization and SF assembly by facilitating the phosphorylation of cofilin and MLC, while Ca2+ chiefly governed SF assembly via MLC. Inhibiting α-SMA-MF-SF assembly changed Ang II-induced cell contraction, YAP nuclear translocation, and COL1A1 expression, findings corroborated in cirrhotic mice models. Overall, our study offers insights into mitigating IHVR and PH through cell mechanics, heralding potential breakthroughs.

Trust and reciprocity have paramount importance in cooperative relationships. The influence of psychological effects such as framing and anchoring on trust and reciprocity has been investigated; however, the impact of an order effect on them is still unexplored. The goal of our study was to examine how order impacts the framing of trust and reciprocity by manipulating framing and order as within- and between-subjects factors, respectively. Different groups of participants first completed two framings of the one-shot trust game (give vs. take frame) in a counterbalanced order (give first and then take second vs. take first then give second) in the role of trustors or trustees and rated the expectations of their counterparts’ decisions afterward. Our results revealed higher trust in the take than give frame in the first decision and a reverse outcome in the second decision due to strong anchoring. Reciprocity was higher in the give than take frame in the first decisions, and no difference in the second decisions was observed due to weak anchoring. Anchoring also caused an order effect in trust and reciprocity, with higher trust when the take frame was played first, and higher reciprocity when the give frame was played first. Our results contribute to our knowledge about situational factors that shape trust and reciprocity, highlighting the impact of the context of the decision environment in terms of the impact of the order on framing.

Ardisia mamillata Hance is a rare plant with highly ornamental and medicinal value. The traditional propagation methods for A. mamillata by seeds or cutting provided low proliferation rate. This study is to optimize the propagation technique of A. mamillata by tissue culture and set up an industrial production system to provide plenty of A. mamillata seedlings for the human demand. The optimal initiation medium for A. mamillata is MS+2.0 mg/L BA+0.1 mg/L NAA+30 g/L sugar, providing 76.4% initiation rate. The optima! shoot proliferation medium for A. mamillata is MS+ 1.0 mg/L BA+0.1 mg/L NAA+30 g/L sugar, providing 4.56 fold proliferation rate and 3.10 cm shoot in height. The optimal shoot elongation medium for A. mamillata is MS+0.5 mg/L BA+0.1 mg/L NAA+30 g/L sugar, providing 2.77 fold proliferation rate and 4.27 cm shoot in height. The optimal rooting medium for A. mamillata is 1/2MS+ 0.1 mg/L IBA+15 g/L sugar, providing 99.7% rooting rate, 4.0 roots per individual, 7.53 cm root in length arid 3.94 cm shoot in height. This provides a reliable mass propagation method for A. mamillata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cortisol awakening response (CAR), a rapid cortisol rise in the morning after awakening, has been proposed to provide energy to cope with daily demands and suggested to be associated with brain functions. Electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry studies have implicated asymmetric cortical activation, especially in frontal cortex, in approach-withdrawal motivation. In this study, we examined the relationship between the CAR and lateralized cortical activity under rest in 55 university male students. Saliva samples were collected at 0, 15, 30 and 60 min after awakening on the two consecutive workdays. The lateralized cortical activity at frontocentral sites was examined by alpha asymmetry score. The results showed that a higher CAR was positively associated with alpha asymmetry score, which indicated that the higher CAR is linked with more left-sided cortical activity at frontocentral sites under resting state. This association still existed even after controlling psychological and sleep quality variables. These results suggested that appropriately mobilizing energy resource storage after awakening revealed as CAR might be associated with goal-directed approach tendencies before any eventual stressful situation, characteristic of more left than right resting-state frontocentral cortical activity.

Cinnamomum micranthum is one of China Third-class Endangered Tree Species. The seedlings of C. micranthum are difficult to obtain. It is important to study the cutting propagation of C. micranthum in different seasons to improve the rooting rate for providing seedling propagation technique for the afforestation industry. In this study, the optimal season for the cutting propagation of C. micranthum was summer (May), providing 80. 6% rooting rate. The rooting rate in Summer was 33. 4% higher than that in Spring (March). This technique is important to make the best use of rare C. micranthum resources and to provide plenty of seedling for afforestation and greening industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]